The organisers of the Bloodstock Open Air festival has announced some more names, including Swedish melodic death metal pioneers, At The Gates, as well as groove metal originators Exhorder, who will play the Ronnie James Dio stage and Sophie Lancaster stage respectively, while joining Exhorder on the Sophie stage will be sludge metal outfit Weight Of The Tide and death metal group Sangre. The festival will take place at Catton Park, Derbyshire and will be held from August 9th - 12th.

The organisers of Belgium's Graspop Metal Meeting festival has announced a string of new names for next year's edition of the event, which will be held over four days from June 21st to June 24th. In addition to the previously announced acts, Guns N Roses, Ozzy Osbourne and Iron Maiden, the festival will also host such big names as British heavy metal icons Judas Priest, thrash metal legends Megadeth, Kreator and Exodus, nu metal giants Limp Bizkit and the Ice-T fronted, Body Count, amongst many others.

Swedish melodic death metal group At The Gates is now in the final stages of preparation for an upcoming new album, following 2014’s comeback release, “At War With Reality” (reviewed here).

After the departure of founding guitarist Anders Björler in March, the group is not only ready to give a comprehensive update on the new album’s status, but can also now announce the newest addition to the At The Gates line-up. The Swedes comment:

“We have finally decided on a new guitar player, and we are ready to rip again! Actually he was our first choice, and we are happy to have him on board. Jonas Stålhammar has been a friend since the late eighties (Tomas used to tape trade with him back then!), and our paths have crossed many times during our careers.

"We were looking for someone who had the same reference points as we do, someone from the same path, so to say, who understand the greatness of both Autopsy and King Crimson. Of course it was essential that our new member could fill the shoes of Anders' performance-wise as well, but that was never an issue with Jonas. We were looking for someone with a deep understanding of what At The Gates are about, someone who could contribute creatively to the band.

"Jonas Stålhammar will be a full member from day one, and will play on the upcoming full length album, scheduled for recording in November 2017 – January 2018. We currently have 11 songs ready for said album, and are more inspired than perhaps ever before. You can expect a full-on At The Gates record with all the classic elements of the band. It is by far the most comprehensive album of the band to date, and will span all the way across the different elements of the band's sound. We are super-excited for 2018. It will be a good year for At The Gates, and our fans, for sure.”

Swedish death metal all-star outfit The Lurking Fear (At the Gates, The Haunted) played its second-ever concert Saturday night (May 13) at Sticky Fingers in Gothenburg, Sweden. Fan-filmed video footage of the show can be seen below. The band will release its debut album "Out Of The Voiceless Grave" on August 11 via Century Media Records. The disc is being recorded at Welfare Sounds in Gothenburg, Sweden.

Having completed an extremely comprehensive worldwide touring campaign in support of comeback album "At War With Reality" (reviewed here), Swedish melodic death metal pioneers At The Gates now break the silence and check in with this status update:

"So, it is now official that Anders Björler is no longer a part of At The Gates. He will always be part of the At The Gates family, of course, but he will no longer write, record or play with us live. This is something that we, the rest of the band, have felt was on its way for quite some time, as that special spark was no longer with him the last year. We are grateful for all we have experienced together with him, all the records, all the songs, all the gigs, all the laughs and good times.

"The rest of us have in the meantime started the work on the follow up to 'At War With Reality', we already have three songs written, and the direction is set for an intense, hungry follow-up album. Jonas has always written a considerable part of the bands' material and we are fully confident that the new material will live up to the standards set by our previous records. It is ripping. The four of us still have the burning urge to create death metal together, and we love playing live in front of our fans, so we will go on, with an even stronger intent.

"While writing the new record, that we intend to record in the beginning of 2018, we are trying out Anders' replacement. Some auditions are being held as we speak, and we will get back to you with news on the matter as soon as we know more." More...

We're at the end of the year already somehow? It was a big one for me personally as my head banging, bouncer moshing son arrived in May ready to throw the horns straight out of the womb!

There was a whole lot going on in the metal world as well to mark the year of his birth, with about equal parts good, bad, and utterly bizarre.

With the notable exception of one long-dormant mega band whose name is on everyone's lips, it seems like the reunion / reboot craze has finally come to a rest, for now anyway, and we can once again forget about all those broken up '80s and '90s groups seeking another day in the spotlight.

That paved the way for both a crop of new bands (and there were some awesome newcomers this year!) and long-running groups who never called it quits to show us what they could do throughout 2016.

The beginning of the year was also marked by the very metaltastic "Slain," drawing heavily from early Castlevania, and while it had an incredibly rocky launch, reviews are steadily getting more positive as patches are released.

On the music front, this was unquestionably the year of thrash!

New albums arrived from Megadeth, Anthrax, Testament, and even the long-awaited return of the band everyone loves to hate, Metallica (although as our reader poll and CROMCarl's review show, there's clearly still some fans out there in the metal underground). More...

Europe is renowned in the metal world for it's many metal and rock festivals, with particular focus being shed on Germany. However, many other countries are now getting in on the action, with Belgium and the Czech Republic becoming more well known for the Graspop Metal Meeting and Brutal Assault festivals respectively. Spain is also making strides in the field, with such events as Resurrection Fest and the growing reputation of another festival in the south eastern area of the country, Villena to be exact, named Leyendas del Rock.

Having only been able to attend for the Thursday, we arrived on the first full day just in time to catch the final few songs of veteran Danish rockers, D-A-D. Though being unfamiliar with the group, they displayed a frantic energy and a passion to win over as many newcomers as they could, putting in a shift that put plenty of younger bands to shame. Despite catching only a glimpse, I will certainly be checking out more of their catalogue in the near future.

Up next on the second main stage, a system which is becoming used by more festivals across the continent, was British based power metal act, Dragonforce. I'm sure most readers are familiar and plenty will remember trying not to break their fingers playing, "Through the Fire and the Flames" on guitar hero, so there's not much need for an introduction. Although they've been the subject of ridicule and criticism, the band actually carry themselves very well. Stand in frontman Alessio Garavello is great at interacting with the crowd and all members perform with focus and skill. They might not be everyone's cup of tea, but Dragonforce did themselves proud on this day. More...

Death should be credited with creating death metal, at least the old school style we recognize now, as they birthed the infamous Tampa, Florida sound. Bands such as Autopsy and Obituary—two of the forerunners—would not exist without Death. Death is not the true father of death metal, though. That distinction goes to Possessed. The California Bay Area group not only played a style of brutal, vicious metal, with loads of Satanic imagery, they also coined the term “death metal” on the “Seven Churches” album.

Around 1985, albums similar to “Slowly We Rot” (Obituary) and “Mental Funeral” (Autopsy) simply did not exist. Thrash was the fasted, craziest music around. Of course Possessed has already been mentioned, but the influence of Slayer, who obviously influenced Possessed, can not be under recognized. Where Possessed was different was they used a rougher production. Dark Angel, whose drummer, Gene Hoglan, would go on to be one of the most heralded drummers in the metal biz, certainly showed a good dose of Slayer in their sound. In the beginning, Slayer was nothing more than a faster, nefarious, more solo-oriented Venom protégé. More...

In Central Texas, the weekend that fell on Friday, February 12th through the 14th was filled with great shows featuring major European extreme metal bands, bands that rarely appear in North America. First, I caught Cradle of Filth (visit link) put on a spectacular show at the Aztec Theater in San Antonio. Two days later, the immortal At The Gates made it’s first ever appearance in Austin.

The forerunners of melodic death previously toured North America in 2008 with Darkest Hour and Municipal Waste. Then, they played San Antonio. Due to a publicist error, I couldn’t get into that show, so I partook in other debaucheries. I did, however, catch At The Gates tour twenty-years ago with Morbid Angel and Dissection as the opener. (Readers may have seen them on 70,000 Tons of Metal cruise or Maryland Death Fest).

I didn’t know anything about them. I was there to see Dissection (the only time I caught the band), but liked what I heard and shortly after became a fan of Gothenburg bands. Twenty years later and I can sing all the songs, pump my fest and bang my head with the rest of the packed club at the Mohawk’s punk/metal-friendly club. More...

When winter strikes the northern hemisphere, we know it’s time for our annual sojourn to the biggest and best floating festival on earth – 70,000 Tons of Metal. Back on its third different boat in three years, Ultimate Metal Cruises returns to destroy the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean with the most diverse and powerful lineup in its sixth voyage. This year, the boat returned to Jamaica, but a different port – Falmouth. Last year, a disastrous blizzard it the Northeast U.S. leaving many stranded on the beaches of Ft. Lauderdale upon return to Port Everglades, something I surely hope wouldn’t happen (he says with tongue firmly planted in cheek). More...

The 2016 installment of 70,000 Tons of Metal will set sail tomorrow. Promoters UMC have declared the event a sell out and announced that the final act added to the bill is legendary UK act Diamond Head.

Metal Underground.com will be on board for the cruise and will provide coverage in the form of daily show reports, photo galleries and a four part video series featuring performance clips and other antics from each day.

70,000 Tons of Metal 2016 will sails from February 4th-8th from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida and return to Jamaica with a stop at Falmouth.

The festival will board a new vessel, the second in as many years: The Independence of the Seas (via Royal Caribbean). The ship will accommodate four stages: The Alhambra Theater is a five-story concert hall in which they spare no expense to remove part of the (very comfortable) seating so you have a real Mosh Pit on the High Seas; The more intimate Egyptian themed Pyramid Lounge offers the local club atmosphere; The third indoor stage is in Studio B, the ice skating rink featuring a maritime version of the Arena experience and last but not least their jewel: The Pool Deck stage - The World’s Biggest Open Air Stage Structure to ever sail the Open Seas, surrounded by multiple bars and pools, plenty of room to sunbathe on several decks and even hot tubs incorporated into the Pool Deck stage to soak in while you watch the shows!

The All-Star Jam band, which returned this past January will also be back, led by Annihilator's Jeff Waters and members from the various acts aboard performing cover tunes live.

In addition, the ship will broadcast the upcoming Super Bowl between the Carolina Panthers v. Denver Broncos live on Sunday, February 7, 2016.

If you missed out on this year, be sure to check out information on the event over at 70000tons.com.

Diamond Head joins the following previously named acts (with one still to be revealed):

The 2016 installment of 70,000 Tons of Metal will set sail this Thursday, and promoters UMC have announced all but one act to complete the lineup with the latest additions: Arkona, Nervosa, Novembers Doom, Starkill, Fallujah, Ghoul, No Raza and Incantation.

The clue to the 60th band to be announced is "jewel" and begins with a "D."

70,000 Tons of Metal 2016 will set sail from February 4th-8th from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida and return to Jamaica with a stop at Falmouth. You can still book your tickets using the link a few paragraphs down.

The festival will board a new vessel, the second in as many years: The Independence of the Seas (via Royal Caribbean). The ship will accommodate four stages: The Alhambra Theater is a five-story concert hall in which they spare no expense to remove part of the (very comfortable) seating so you have a real Mosh Pit on the High Seas; The more intimate Egyptian themed Pyramid Lounge offers the local club atmosphere; The third indoor stage is in Studio B, the ice skating rink featuring a maritime version of the Arena experience and last but not least their jewel: The Pool Deck stage - The World’s Biggest Open Air Stage Structure to ever sail the Open Seas, surrounded by multiple bars and pools, plenty of room to sunbathe on several decks and even hot tubs incorporated into the Pool Deck stage to soak in while you watch the shows!

The All-Star Jam band, which returned this past January will also be back, led by Annihilator's Jeff Waters and members from the various acts aboard performing cover tunes live.

In addition, the ship will broadcast the upcoming Super Bowl between the Carolina Panthers v. Denver Broncos live on Sunday, February 7, 2016.

Ticket prices include all on board entertainment, most non-alcoholic and non-carbonated beverages, all meals in the dining rooms, most on board restaurants and even 24 hour room service. For more information or to book your high seas metal adventure, head on over to 70000tons.com.

Metal Underground.com will be on board for the cruise and will provide coverage in the form of daily show reports, photo galleries and a four part video series featuring performance clips and other antics from each day.

Arkona, Nervosa, Novembers Doom, Starkill, Fallujah, Ghoul, No Raza and Incantation join the following previously named acts (with one still to be revealed):

Swedish melodic death metal group At The Gates just posted a brand new video for the live version of the song "The Circular Ruins" - check it out below.

Featuring footage filmed by Live Media Group during the band's latest show in Chicago's House Of Blues on the Decibel Tour in April 2015, "Circular Ruins" hails from comeback album "At War With Reality" (reviewed here), released via Century Media Records. More...

The 2016 installment of 70,000 Tons of Metal is about to set sail next Thursday, and promoters UMC are inching closer to completing the lineup - the latest addition is Dave Lombardo (ex-Slayer)'s new act Dead Cross.

70,000 Tons of Metal 2016 will set sail from February 4th-8th from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida and return to Jamaica with a stop at Falmouth. You can still book your tickets using the link a few paragraphs down.

The festival will board a new vessel, the second in as many years: The Independence of the Seas (via Royal Caribbean). The ship will accommodate four stages: The Alhambra Theater is a five-story concert hall in which they spare no expense to remove part of the (very comfortable) seating so you have a real Mosh Pit on the High Seas; The more intimate Egyptian themed Pyramid Lounge offers the local club atmosphere; The third indoor stage is in Studio B, the ice skating rink featuring a maritime version of the Arena experience and last but not least their jewel: The Pool Deck stage - The World’s Biggest Open Air Stage Structure to ever sail the Open Seas, surrounded by multiple bars and pools, plenty of room to sunbathe on several decks and even hot tubs incorporated into the Pool Deck stage to soak in while you watch the shows!

The All-Star Jam band, which returned this past January will also be back, led by Annihilator's Jeff Waters and members from the various acts aboard performing cover tunes live. Also, the ship will broadcast the upcoming Super Bowl between the Carolina Panthers v. Denver Broncos live on Sunday, February 7, 2016.

Ticket prices include all on board entertainment, most non-alcoholic and non-carbonated beverages, all meals in the dining rooms, most on board restaurants and even 24 hour room service. For more information or to book your high seas metal adventure, head on over to 70000tons.com.

Metal Underground.com will be on board for the cruise and will provide coverage in the form of daily show reports, photo galleries and a four part video series featuring performance clips and other antics from each day.

UMC - promoters for the Original and World's Largest Cruise Festival, 70,000 Tons of Metal - has added Swiss folk metal act Eluveitie to the upcoming 2016 edition of the cruise, bringing the total of 41 bands of the 60 revealed. Three more acts (Hint: from Switzerland, Germany and Sweden) will be added this week.

70,000 Tons of Metal 2016 will set sail on February 4th-8th from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida and return to Jamaica with a stop at Falmouth.

The festival will board a new vessel, the second in as many years: The Independence of the Seas (via Royal Caribbean). The ship will accommodate four stages: The Alhambra Theater is a five-story concert hall in which they spare no expense to remove part of the (very comfortable) seating so you have a real Mosh Pit on the High Seas; The more intimate Egyptian themed Pyramid Lounge offers the local club atmosphere; The third indoor stage is in Studio B, the ice skating rink featuring a maritime version of the Arena experience and last but not least their jewel: The Pool Deck stage - The World’s Biggest Open Air Stage Structure to ever sail the Open Seas, surrounded by multiple bars and pools, plenty of room to sunbathe on several decks and even hot tubs incorporated into the Pool Deck stage to soak in while you watch the shows!

The All-Star Jam band, which returned this past January will also be back, led by Annihilator's Jeff Waters and members from the various acts aboard performing cover tunes live.

Ticket prices include all on board entertainment, most non-alcoholic and non-carbonated beverages, all meals in the dining rooms, most on board restaurants and even 24 hour room service. For more information or to book your high seas metal adventure, head on over to 70000tons.com.

Eluveitie joins the following previously named acts (with 19 still to be revealed):

To celebrate the 20th anniversary of At the Gates' landmark record "Slaughter of the Soul" documentarian Sam Dunn travels to Gothenburg, Sweden to talk with the band about their metal classic. In an extensive new interview, members recall the highs and lows of their early years, how they made their masterpiece, their break-up, reunion, and legacy. This 30-minute documentary also features rare photos from the band’s own archives, never-before-seen interviews with producer Fredrik Nordstrom and members of Shadows Fall and In Flames, plus all-new live concert footage shot at a sold-out hometown show in 2014, including an epic version of "At War with Reality".

It's almost Black Friday again (which for many stores has essentially just become "Black Month" as the sales start earlier and employees are expected to work all Thanksgiving) and you might not think that matters to metalheads, but many of the labels actually jump on that bandwagon.

Best of all - you don't have to go to a store at four in the morning to get these deals.

The holiday / Thanksgiving / Christmas sales are already ramping up through the various online distros, so if you're looking for new music on a budget, these heavy metal Black Friday deals will help you find new tunes.

This is just the start though, so check back in each day as we add in more deals. Specifically look for Amazon to launch something big soon, as that online juggernaut usually does $5 albums that rotate out each day. If you know of any metal sales that aren't listed below, be sure to leave a comment and we'll get it added.

And it's here - the Amazon $5 digital album sale arrives! Grab digital copies of music from Megadeth, Rage Against The Machine, Veil of Maya, Slayer, and more in rotating deals on full-length albums.

Most of the stock on the Nuclear Blast America shop - CDs, vinyl, shirts, etc. - are on sale for the "Blackest Friday," up to 45% off.

Swedish melodic death metal legends At the Gates issued a new video clip for the track "The Night Eternal." The song appears on the latest album "At War With Reality" - out now via Century Media Records. A review for the album can be read over at this location.

Following its performances on board 70,000 Tons of Metal 2016 in February, At the Gates will hit the road in North America with The Haunted, Decapitated and Harms Way. Dates and venues can be found over here.

The Swedish melodic death metal masters At The Gates just announced a string of U.S. tour dates to follow their appearance on the 2016 version of the 70,000 Tons of Metal cruise.

Set to kick off on February 9, 2016 in Fort Lauderdale FL, this tour of tours will feature label mates The Haunted as well as Decapitated (direct support) and Harms Way. Tomas Lindberg from At The Gates comments:

"We are so excited to finally come back to the states for more shows. The last tour was such a great thing for us, and the line up for this one is equally awesome. We can't wait to get out there, reaching some of the places that missed out on the action last time! See you there!"

Marco Aro from The Haunted adds: "Finally!.....we are going to the US! We've been trying to get this tour together for quite some time now, and now it's official... The Haunted is teaming up with our brothers in At The Gates, Decapitated and Harms Way. All of us are so stoked about this and we hope you are too....see you out there!!"